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Reviews CCD 11074

The Volume by Roy Gaines starts with a rock’n’soul number, full of punchy horns a la Stax Records and stinging guitar, but with every passing song it settles down and going through classic uptown blues of “I Got My Thang On You” and “Lucille Works For Me” it reaches a jazzy blues shore in “Rag Blues”. An amazing combination of styles, played with another memorable guitar tone. Not only the music is absolute high class (…) but the sound quality, production values and packing also set high standards. I love this kind of live production, real concert played from the first song to the last one, no silence or fading. If there is something as good as being there in Lucerne, sitting in a first row and listening to the blues, this is it, “In The House”. This series is as essential as “The Bluesville Years” classic blues series releases some years ago by the Prestige/Fantasy label. A must have for all serious blues fans.

Radio Brawo
2008-05
Przemek Draheim

Snapping and snarling from the off, Gaines' fiery guitar tone and blast furnace vocals suggest he's been inhaling the same brimstone fumes that inspired Johnny Copeland. (…) The opening three tracks (…) present as dirty, raw and powerful a barrage, perpetrated by all involved, imaginable.

Juke Blues
June 2003 #53
Bill Moodie

…high calorie, full fat, screaming guitar (…). Plenty hot guitar work (…) It has potential to draw in people to whom the blues doesn't generally appeal too much.

He picks up with this 2001 'Live in Lucerne' recording with a greasy band in tow. (…) Gaines might well be a descendant of the T-Bone Walker guitar school, but there's little sign of that here; this is high-powered modern blues with an occasional nod to
Roy Gaines is one of the most exciting and endearing blues guitarists plying his trade today and his fearless work here is a testament to his work ethic; surrounding himself with young journeymen who provide effortless support and add plenty of spark. Hats off to Crosscut Records for seeing the importance of these artists and recording them in a 'live' context. The utmost care was taken in putting these discs together and each one of them boasts crystal clear sound and fine packaging.